Protecting my knuckles in chair massage

[Jen K]

Hi,

I have a chair massage gig coming up next month that I'm kind of nervous about, since I've only had a massage gig twice before, and never for as long a span as I'm expected to work this time (three seven-hour days). One thing I'm particularly concerned about is my knuckles. Last time I went to using my knuckles to alleviate strain on my fingers/tendons. But when I used my knuckles instead, they became very sore, even bleeding at one point! So how do you suggest I deal with this? I'm open to ideas....

 

[misstorwai]

Protecting my knuckles in chair massage

Have you taken training specifically in chair massage? There are differences and if you are going to do long stints, some specific training would help.

How long are the individual sessions? I have done 40 10-minute sessions in a day and no bleeding in sight!

The first rule is - do not kill yourself. If it hurts, don't do it!

The second rule is - body mechanics are crucial. If it hurts, don't do it!

The third rule is - you can't 'cure' or 'fix' them in one session, so don't try.

My fourth rule is - deep is not better. I re-train people in the chair all the time - "Would you like me to go deep OR would you like me to get rid of the knots?" Learn some myofascial release as soon as you can!

Move slowly, it is much more relaxing. Have a framework that you follow but vary the specifics for each person. Assuming you have about 10 minutes, you should be able to do some sort of circles down the back, then repeat on each side of the back. Squeeze the traps - and hold until they start to release or soften. Squeeze or rub one arm, down and then up, go round to the front of the chair and do some neck traction/occipital work. You can hold with one hand and push down on the opposite shoulder. Switch hands and repeat. Go to the other arm and do the same as you did with the first arm. Return to the back - work from the neck down, all the way down to the SI's. Work along the medial border of the scapulae. Finish with Karate type chops. Lots of variation for your hands and body. And no thumb work.

If you must use your thumbs - do it for one person, then use knuckles on the next one, then an elbow on the next, then back to thumbs.

Anywhere you compress, be willing to hold it for at least a minute - 90 seconds is better - until you feel it soften. People love it.

Hope some of this is helpful!